The Dr. Phil Show has just concluded its weight lost challenge series, and the contestants who excelled at achieving their goals won all kinds of cool prizes. It was very interesting for me to watch because I was there at the beginning. Dr. Phil McGraw had asked me to work with Angela Carver, one of the challengers, to help her prepare for a job search.

Although Angela had problems during her weight loss program because of some surgery, she did land a great new job.

It was not easy. Angela, who had only been able to find temporary positions over the last couple of years because of her obesity, set significant goals for herself: to relocate to the Dallas area and to find a professional career position. That was the dream, and we explored career options, created a new resume, worked on a more professional look, built her self-confidence, and prepared her for job interviews.

I am happy to tell you that her dream became a reality when she started her new career in the healthcare field in Dallas, Texas. Now that her job situation is more stable, Angela is working on the weight loss -- another goal that she set for herself.

So, what is your dream? What are the goals that you have set for yourself and are working to achieve? It is important that we each have purpose in our lives. Goals, with a well thought out action plan, allow us to implement the steps needed to reach our dreams, our fantasies, wishes and hopes. You may want an entirely new job, or a significant career change. Maybe you are seeking a promotion, or believe you have earned a raise! The path is often cluttered with obstacles that have to be overcome. Achieving your dreams is never an easy ride.

Last fall I decided to write a new book for my publisher, the Penguin Group. The book is scheduled to arrive in bookstores 2005. The book focuses on career advancement and teaches how to build your career using your strengths, working within an area you are passionate about, and in an environment that allows you to be highly productive and flourish. You move forward establishing your career identity -- known as your personal brand -- so as to create the career of your dreams.

Writing a book is a challenging goal, and I got off to a terrific start last October. The writing was flowing well. Then I got sick. In fact, I got so sick that I needed surgery and the recovery period was long and debilitating. I did not work from the first week of November until the second week of January. By then I was nervous about meeting the April 1st deadline for submitting the new manuscript to my publisher.

I still was not feeling great, and I had certainly lost the creative flow. Worried, I asked my author friends for some help, and they gave me this key piece of advice: "Just start writing!" they all said. So I did. It was not an immediate resolution to my doldrums, but within a few weeks of persevering, I got back in the groove. Several people in my circle of supporters helped me make some good connections and I got the book completed, and to the publisher on time.

It was an exciting goal for me to reach -- this book is number seven for me -- so I took my family to Hawaii as my reward. I have included a picture of me living one of my dreams, swimming with the Dolphins in Oahu. I assure you, it was incredible!

Sometimes you ignore your own dreams because of self-doubt, fear, or external complications. You can think of many different excuses to brush those dreams aside. But, your world will become more exciting, and you will begin to live a more passionate and meaningful life, if you go after your dreams.

So, now, take a minute and write down three goals you want to accomplish this year. Next, list the steps that you must take so that you can accomplish those three goals. Finally, decide on a nice reward for yourself, when you have achieved your goals. It will be helpful to find a picture that illustrates the reward and post it where you will see it every day. This will inspire you to achieve it! Don't hold back. Pursue those BIG dreams. They often take about the same amount of effort that medium-sized or smaller ones do, but the rewards are much more significant. Break through, believe in yourself, and create a sense of urgency for yourself that says, "I will do it NOW!"

Resource of the Month

If you need help with your career change, DreamMaker, an audio training program, is a unique approach to making life decisions. Using proprietary vocational assessment tools, Robin Ryan helps identify your skills, interests and values. Whether you want to make a complete change, consider opening a business, find a promotion, balance work and family better, this program will coach you to make better decisions. You'll receive:

● A 'can-do' audio CD to inspire and motivate your success!
● A CD Audio Guide to coach you through the workbook.
● The "DreamMaker Workbook" -- 65 pages of life-changing tools and guidance.
● Robin's newest book, "What to Do With The Rest of Your Life."

You can order the DreamMaker online by clicking through to: www.robinryan.com/dreamMaker.htm or call 425.226.0414.

"An incredible resource--Robin Ryan is The DreamMaker." -- Sandy Dehan, Human Resources Manager, Fortune 500 Company

You can order any of Robin's books and audio programs online at www.robinryan.com/careerCoachProducts.htm or call 425.226.0414.

Career Consultations with Robin Ryan

"Robin Ryan is one of America's top Career Coaches." -- Boston Globe

Robin works with clients all across the U.S., so no matter where you live America's top career coach can provide the best guidance possible. Robin offers individual career counseling services with several different program options. Just go to www.RobinRyan.com or call us for details at 425.226.0414 or review her counseling options at www.robinryan.com/coachingServices.htm

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah, Dr. Phil Show, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, CNN, CNBC and is considered America's top career coach. She is the best-selling author of: 60 Seconds & You're Hired!; Winning Resumes; Winning Cover Letters, and What to Do with the Rest of Your Life. She's the creator of the highly acclaimed audio training program Interview Advantage and The DreamMaker.

© Copyright 2004 Robin Ryan, all rights reserved. Permission to reprint her column is granted if user includes her bio, lists all four of her books and her website www.RobinRyan.com. Contact author at Robin Ryan, 14404 93rd Street, Newcastle, WA 98059, or call her at 425.226.0404, or e-mail RobinRyan@aol.com